THE BRIDE GOES WILD

US, 1948, 98 minutes, Black and white.
Van Johnson, June Allyson, Jackie ‘Butch’ Jenkins, Hume Cronyn, Una Merkel, Arlene Dahl, Richard Derr, Elizabeth Risdon.
Directed by Norman Taurog.

The Bride Goes Wild is the fourth of the films starring Van Johnson and June Allyson. They make a genial couple – even when they are sparring. Butch Jenkins also appears – he had made quite an impression in My Brother Talks to Horses and Little Mr Jim and other films. The veterans Hume Cronyn and Una Merkel also appear and Arlene Dahl in one of her earliest glamorous roles.

The plot is fluffy, really a battle of the sexes, sparring between June Allyson and Van Johnson – and a happy resolution.

The direction was by Norman Taurog, who had directs films since 1920 and continued right till the end of the 60s – and was reputed to have directed Elvis Presley in more films than any other director. He also made a number of films with Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis and with Jerry Lewis alone.

1. MGM production, the 40s, post-war atmosphere, comedies – and the aftermath of the screwball comedies?

2. Black and white photography, sets, stars, score?

3. The title – not really accurate because Martha never went wild!

4. The situation, children’s books, the office, John Mc Grath and Miss Doherty, his being harassed, Greg and his drinking, his success with the books, but unreliable? The competition, Martha being farewelled from home, her visit to New York, celebrity?

5. The encounters between Greg and Martha, his deceiving her, taking her to the grotto, the Tasmanian coffee, her getting drunk, blowing her ear? The talk? The discovery of the truth because of the autograph, Martha upset? Complaints to John Mc Grath? The cousin in New York being the censor? Talking about Greg to Mc Grath?

6. Mc Grath explaining him, son, widower? Tilly and the relationship? Going to the orphanage, choosing Danny to pose as the son? The difficulties? The apartment, Danny and the ants, kicking people’s shins? The money and the agreement? Danny walking on the ledge, Martha’s anxiety, the fuss? The spanking? Her concern?

7. Going on the picnic, Greg in the water?

8. Greg and Martha, the attraction, the concern about Danny, the drawings, the chapter?

9. Tilly and the kiss, their history together, at the lake, sparring or not – and Greg’s insight?

10. Martha and the visit to the orphanage, Greg and the cowboys and Indians game, the slapstick comedy? Mc Grath and his assistant involved? Martha discovering the truth about Danny?

11. Martha, her fiancé, their planning to marry, the town and the preparations?

12. Greg and his realisation of what had happened, hurrying to stop the wedding, driving, Mc Grath and his assistant being towed, the reckless driving?

13. The plea to Martha, her being willing? Danny and the ants, upsetting Bruce? The disruption to the wedding?

14. The change in Greg, the happy couple, adopting Danny, the happy ever after ending and the wholesome themes of the 1940s Hollywood?